Tangier Airport's $327 Million Extension to Triple Passenger Capacity
Doha – A major expansion project for Tangier Ibn Batouta Airport has been allocated MAD 3.27 billion ($327 million), with completion scheduled for June 2029. The project aims to triple the airport's annual passenger capacity from 2 million to 7 million travelers.
This will support Morocco's preparations for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the North African country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
The expansion, spanning 199 hectares, will include construction of a new passenger terminal, control tower, aircraft parking areas, and vehicle parking facilities.
Modern amenities such as E-Gate systems and intelligent digital infrastructure will be integrated into the new facilities.
A partnership agreement has been approved by multiple stakeholders, including the Ministries of Interior, Islamic Affairs, Finance, Equipment and Water, and Transport and Logistics.
The National Airports Office (ONDA), the Wilaya of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, the Regional Council, Tangier Municipal Council, and the Loukkos Hydraulic Basin Agency are also signatories to the convention.
The project falls within Morocco's broader aviation development strategy, which includes a nationwide investment of MAD 42 billion ($4.2 billion) in airport expansion projects by 2030.
Read also: After Casablanca, Marrakech Airport Removes Entry Security Scanners
This comprehensive plan, known as 'Airports 2030,' aims to modernize major airports across the country, including Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Tetouan, and Agadir.
Morocco's airports recorded prodigious growth in 2024, handling 32.7 million passengers, a 21% increase from the previous year. International passenger traffic rose by 20%, while domestic travel saw a 30% increase.
The country's aviation authorities project passenger traffic to reach 60 million by 2030 and 90 million by 2035.
A steering committee, chaired by the Wali of the region, will oversee the Tangier airport expansion project. The committee will coordinate with all partnering entities to ensure timely completion and address any challenges during implementation.
The expansion project includes the development of new access roads and seeks to enhance the region's tourism and economic growth while meeting increasing air traffic demands, particularly in preparation for upcoming major events.
This comes after FIFA's evaluation report in December 2024 gave Tangier low ratings for infrastructure, scoring 2.2 out of 5 for accommodation and 2.6 for transportation.
In January, Mayor Mounir Laymouri announced comprehensive plans to address these challenges, including a MAD 1.124 billion ($112.4 million) investment in new public transportation and the implementation of the city's first high-quality urban bus transit line.
The mayor stressed that the city would 'spare no effort' to ensure the success of both AFCON 2025 and the 2030 World Cup.
The airport, formerly known as Tanger-Boukhalef Airport, is named after Ibn Battuta (1304-1368), a renowned Moroccan traveler who was born in Tangier. Tags: Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA)Tangier Ibn Batouta Airport
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